Glenda, 44, from Ashbourne has attending Treetops Day Care service for about three months:
The best decision I’ve ever made
“I was referred to Treetops by my palliative care nurse. At first I was a bit hesitant about coming here because I thought it would be quite gloomy and we’d be sitting around contemplating the end – that there’d be nothing fun or to make me smile. But I thought I’d give it a go and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.
I relish my days here
“I’ve been coming about three months and I’ve got to meet some wonderful, caring, lovely people. It’s great to get out of the house and meet like-minded people. It’s a wonderful place to come to and I relish my days here.
“They try and tailor specific things that you enjoy doing so you can still do them – even if you have diffculty with mobility or sight. I’ve got back into art – something I did a degree in but I’d lost all interest in.
I’m doing something for Treetops just like they’re doing something for me
“Colouring in these bags and the whole process of getting back into art has been so helpful. It’s distracted me from negative thoughts and I feel like I’m doing something for Treetops just like they’re doing something for me – I’m giving something back. I thoroughly enjoy it and can’t recommend it enough.
Made all the difference to my life
“I have a volunteer driver, Roy, that brings me here and he’s made all the difference to my life because there is no chance of getting here otherwise. People like Roy take time out of their lives to think about someone and help bring me here which gives me a wonderful day. I just can’t speak highly enough of him.”
Treetops services include Support and Information, a Day Care Unit, Hospice at Home nurses and Therapeutic Services including counselling, art therapy and complementary therapy.